In the most recent episode of “Louie,” Louis C.K.’s semi-autobiographical character, the divorced father of two and perpetually lonely, lost and confused Louie commits what amounts to a sexual assault. Critics and fans are struggling with what, exactly, to call the incident, and how to read its intent.

“This would be rape if you weren’t so stupid,” says Pamela (Pamela Aldon), as she squirms out of Louie’s groping embrace. “My god, you can’t even rape well.”

The two of them are insult-trading friends with a quasi-romantic history. She has previously invited his sexual advance, she is in his apartment, but she has clearly said “no.” Multiple times. The incident goes beyond teasing to brute force.

Joanne Ostrow has been watching TV since before "reality" required quotation marks. "Hill Street Blues" was life-changing. If Dickens, Twain or Agatha Christie were alive today, they'd be writing for television. And proud of it.